Career Recrafting in a Tough Economy By Jane Schreiber janeschreiber@shaw.ca Jane.Schreiber@gov.ab.ca

“The world is your oyster” Shakespeare Highly competitive for job seekers Fewer positions in some industries Employers have pick of candidates Passive job searches take longer

The Essence of Jobs in a Tough Economy Career laddering with same company is rare Wages and benefits – large cost Each position must fulfill an economic purpose Staff budgets align with positions

Job Search Method Matching skills with employer needs Need to understand skills Need to understand employer needs Repackaging competencies Deconstructing past positions (including volunteer) Reconstructing to new position

Job Search Quickstart Guide Succinct Focuses on relevant skills Can work for most job titles Go through process with each job title Is most useful after the job seeker has chosen the position they are targeting Step 1: What is the position you feel most confident you will succeed in getting? _______________________________________________________________________ Job Search Quickstart Guide __________________________________________________________________________ Step 2: What are the top 5 skills required for this position? Step 3: What did you do at your previous jobs that demonstrate these skills? Job Title:__________________________________________ Year-Year ___________ Company: _____________________________ City, Province: ______________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _Job Title:__________________________________________ Year-Year ___________

Target Job Title What is the position you feel confident you will succeed in getting? It is the job seeker’s responsibility to figure out what will work for them. Many variables impact a jobseeker’s decisions CDPs might be able to give some ideas that the job seeker could investigate Job Search Quickstart Guide can be used to investigate position options

Transferable Skills Job-specific skills Relevant for new environment Onus on job seeker to translate skills 80% of job search is work of job seeker

Deconstruct previous work Repackage skills into different combinations that suit related jobs Create a “Master Resume” of skills used in past Paid employment Volunteer opportunities Schooling Projects

Understand the Value Premise Help job seeker position themselves as possible candidate Express skills and experience related to employer’s needs What skills are still missing? Volunteer Take a course Read about the subject on the Internet

Current Situation Restrictions/Barriers criminal record, family situation, lack of driver’s license/clean abstract Level of Education/Language proficiency/Familiarity with technology Physical/Mental Capacity/Health/Energy Level Confidence levels/Mental wellness Attitude Level of investment and ROI Interests/Aptitudes/Values Economic realities

Top 5 Skills of Target Position Number of years of experience Job-specific skills Compare 3 job postings Do Information Interviews Get insider information

Competencies/Skills Job Seeker has that match position Providing credibility Building a case to hire them Employer sees connection immediately Translate skills using terminology relevant to new position Discussing skills less specific to previous field

Clearly presenting skills and experiences relevant to position What did you do at previous jobs (usually last 10 years) that demonstrates skills the employer is seeking? Connect with employers who have the position in their organization Insider information Timing of opportunity Other possibilities Referrals to people in similar organizations

Timing Is the timing right? Is it coming? If not, does the job seeker try Plan B or C?

Activity #1 Top 5 Skills Jobs requiring little or no prior training: Labourer/production Food prep/food service and Cleaner/janitor Customer service/cashier With some training/post-secondary: journeyman trades – welder, electrician, security guard Class 1 driver admin assistant With degree: software developer accountant manager social worker Top 5 Skills

Successes I’ve seen Oilfield Motorman to Construction Supervisor Food Scientist to IT Manager School Janitor to Security Guard Marine Ship’s Captain to Warehouse Manager Former Olympic Athlete to Non-profit Manager School Bus Driver to Employment Counsellor Structural Engineer to Project Manager Land Surveyor to Home Inspector Pharmacist/Store Owner to Retail Shelf Stocker Teacher to Employment Counsellor Teacher to Communications Manager Construction Foreman to NCCO Construction Foreman to Locksmith …

Activity #2 Examples of Reconstructed Careers In your groups, please come up with some examples of reconstructed careers and why they worked. If you have a few examples of ones that were not successful, please indicate why they did not work. Please write them on the inside of the pink number card with the original job title  new position title

Connect by LinkedIn or Email janeschreiber@shaw.ca Jane.Schreiber@gov.ab.ca Would you be willing to test the Job Search Quickstart Guide and provide feedback? Send me an email to let me know. Thank you for your time!

Transitions that Worked Probation Officer  Career Developer Supervisor Teacher  Project Coordinator, Non-Profit Banker  Sales Rep Language Instructor Soft Skills Instructor Dermatologist  Retail Technician  Computer Camp Military  Security Guard Military  Management Business person  Sales Teacher  Car Sales Firefigher  Car Sales

Transitions that did not work IT Tech Manager XXX Retail